Cattle restraining device



' Filed Nov. 8, 1946 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Jan. 11, 1949. H, FLO R2,458,582

CATTLE RESTRAINING DEVICE lure/Ito) fifezzz'yi'lolzz- Jr.

eys

Jan. 11, 1949. H. FLOHR, JR 2,458,582

CATTLE- RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Im'eulorJan. 11, 1949. H, F'LOHR, R 2,458,582

CATTLE RES TRA INING DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1946 5 Sheets- Sheet 3 I lire/tor Ecru-5r F2022:- J2.

B; Mm

Patented Jan. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CATTLE RESTRAINING DEVICE Henry Flohr, Jr., Saratoga, Wyo.

Application November 8, 1946, Serial No. 708,485

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structuralrefinements in cattle restraining devices, and the principal object ofthe invention is to provide a device of the character herein described,such as may be conveniently and effectively employed for receiving andfirmly holding cows and other cattle, while the same are being branded,dehorned, or surgically treated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a restraining devicewhich may be easily afiixed to a corral or a similar enclosure, and intowhich the animals may be conveniently admitted in progressivesuccession.

Another object of the invention is to provide a restraining device whichis simple in construction, convenient in operation, .and which will noteasily become damaged.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a restraining devicewhich will readily lend itself to economical manufacture and which isotherwise well adapted for the purpose for which it is intended.

With the above more important objects in view, and such other objects asmay become apparent as this specification proceeds, the inventionconsists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts asillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention, showing the same in anopen or vertical position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, similar to that shown in Figure 1, butshowing the invention in a closed or horizontal position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a framework used in the invention.

Figure 4 is an end View, taken in the direction of the arrow 4 in Figure1.

Figure 5 is an elevational view, taken in the direction of the arrow 5in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail of locking means used in the invention.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary end view of a holder used therein, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view, taken in the direction ofthe arrow 8 in Figure 7.

Like characters of reference are used to designate like parts in thespecification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the inventionconsists of a cattle restraining device designated generally by thereference character l5, the same embodying in its construction aframework I6, best illustrated in the accompanying Figure 3.

This framework may be preferably constructed from steel tubing, or thelike, and consists of a base i! provided at one end thereof with anupstanding skeleton or wall I 8.

It will be noted that the wall I8 is formed with an opening I9 which hasupwardly divergent sides and constitutes what may be referred to as apassage.

The framework l6 also includes an elevated support 20, constructed in amanner clearly apparent from the accompanying drawings.

The animal holder designated generally by the reference character 2| issimilarly constructed from tubin and sheet material, as well as from aplank or board 22 which functions as the floor of the holder.

The side 23 of the holder is fully covered or enclosed, with theexception of a window 24, this being spanned by a plurality of crossbars 25 from which the side member is form-ed.

The lower edge portion of the side member 23 is rigidly secured to thefioor 22 by being provided with a plurality of brackets 26, which inturn, are bolted to the fioor as at 21.

The remaining side member 28 is hingedly connected at the lower edgethereof to the floor 22 by means of a plurality of sleeves 29, thesebeing bolted to the floor as at 30. Means are provided varying thespacing between the side members 23 and 28, the same being designated bythe reference character 3| and being hereinafter more fully described.

The holder 2|, as a whole, is hingedly connected to the framework Hi,this being accomplished by providing the side member 23 with a pluralityof clamps 32 which are rotatably mounted on one of the tubular memberscomprising the support 20. In this manner, the holder, which normallyassumes a vertical position substantially as shown in Figure 1, ispermitted to swing to a substantially horizontal position, so that itmay rest upon the support 20 as indicated in Figure 2. It will be notedthat the base I! is provided with a suitable stop 33 which is engageablewith the lateral edge 34 of the floor 22 and thus limits the upwardtravel of the holder.

The holder 2| is also provided with a pair of shields or guards 35, 36,these being configurated substantially as shown and being secured to theside members 23, 28 respectively adjacent the opening IS.

The aforementioned means 3| for varying the spacing of the side members23, 28 comprises a rack strip 3! pivoted at one end thereof to themember 28, as indicated at 38. The remaining end portion of the rackstrip terminates in a down-turned handle 39 and the rack strip passesthrough a suitable opening formed in a catch plate 40. This plate isrigidly secured to the side member 23 and the rack 31 is normally urgedinto contact with the plate 40 by a keeper 4| responding to theresiliency of a tension spring 42.

Having thus described the construction of the invention, its method ofoperation will now be explained.

When the invention is placed in use, the device, as a whole, may beplaced at the gate of a corral or another suitable enclosure, that is,the wall l8 of the framework I6 is positioned directly in front of thegate, so that the passage l9 communicates therewith.

Assuming the holder 2| to be in the position indicated in Figures 1 and4, the holder, in turn, will communicate with the passage and theanimals may be admitted one at a time, into the holder, as will beclearly understood.

After the animal has been admitted into the holder 2|, the side members23, 28 are drawn together so as to. firmly and securely embrace the.animal therebetween. It will be noted that the upwardly divergent natureof the holder will facilitate this action and the side members 23, 28are retained in the clamped position by means of the rack strip 31engaging the catch plate 40.

Hereupon, the holder 21 together with the animal may be swung to asubstantially horizontal position, until it rests upon the supportZfl.The provision of the window 24 and the unobstructed nature of the sidemember 28 will facilitate the branding operation, or the like, and afterthe same has been completed, the holder 2| may be easily returned to itsnormal, vertical position and the animal may be released by simplyreversing the proceedure already explained.

If desired, the side member 28 may be provided with suitable clamps orguides 43, such as may engage the animals legs.

It should be also stated that while the holder 2| is in its horizontalposition, the aforementioned shields 35 and 36 will be disposedimmediately adjacent the passage l9, thereby preventing other animalsfrom escaping from the corral and interfering with the operation inprogress.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will beclearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly,further descriptions thereof at this point is considered unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown 4 and described thepreferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minorchanges in the details of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A cattle restraining device comprising in combination, a frameworkincluding a base, an upright wall at one end of said base, and anelevated support associated with said base and said wall, said wallbeing formed with an opening constituting a passage, a holder comprisinga pair of spaced side members and a floor section secured to one of saidmembers, the remaining member being hing-ed to said section, said holdernormally communicating with said passage and being tiltable to asubstantially horizontal position in contact with said support, meansfor releasably locking said side members in a predetermined, spacedrelation, and means for automatioally closing said passage upon tiltingof said holder.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for automaticallyclosing said passage include outwardly extending shields provided onsaid side members, said shields covering said passage when said holderis in a tilted position.

3. In a cattle restraining device including a tiltable holder and anentrance passage adapted to communicate therewith, automatic closuremeans for said passage comprising outwardly extending shields secured tosaid holder, said shields covering said passage when said holder is in atilted position.

4. In a cattle restraining device, a holder tiltable from an upright toa substantially horizontal position, an upright wall provided at oneend, of said holder and formed with an entrance passage in communicationwith said holder when the latter is in its upright position, andoutwardly projecting shields provided on said holder ad.- ja-cent saidwall, said shields automatically closing said passage upon tilting ofsaid holder to a substantially horizontal position.

HENRY FLOHR, JR.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file;of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 836,264 Labachotte Nov. 20, 19062,000,122 Cameron May 7,, 1935

